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Nursery 3+ Funding

Funded Childcare for 3 & 4 year-olds

From the term after their third birthday, until they start school, your child is entitled to up to 570 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year.

This is often taken as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks a year during school term time.

What should I do?

Check the table below to see when your child is eligible:

Child born between

Entitled from:

1 April and 31 August

Start of Autumn funding period (from 1st September)

1 September and 31 December

Start of Spring funding period (from 1st January)

1 January and 31 March

Start of Summer funding period (from 1st April)

 

30 hours Funded Childcare

Some children of working parents may be eligible for extra funded early education and childcare. Find out more about the extended entitlement.

Tax-Free Childcare

The government introduced a Tax-Free Childcare scheme which can be used alongside the 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare. You can apply for both the 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare schemes through one online application.

The top things parents need to know about both these offers can be found in the Childcare Choices factsheet.